Band: Spirit Level ~ Local Rock

A few weeks ago I found myself CRAVING something more than what I had been getting.  Something pumped up, crowded and enjoyable both musically and aesthetically.  So, it just so happened that a band Ive been following for a while was playing at Goathead saloon, locally and close to my home.  After the Arizona heat, stress and bullshit in my normal day life, it felt good to just know I'd be seeing some great music I knew never lets me down.  Over the ghetto and through downtown, to Goathead saloon I went... and was able to witness yet more newer and talented local individuals. 

The siren that took the stage first was a furious femme with a back ripped shirt and short skirt. My first impression of her during warm up was she was nervous and shy, however once the warm up was out of the way and after onstage banter and burns the real music started. Slow and strangely hypnotic, she burst forth with a set of lungs and verb that started my heart pounding. Akin to an Evanescence type vocal she transformed into a moving wonder of the stage. Shar also provided a strongly versatile set of vox, unlike the afore mentioned lady of mainstream. My favorite song of the night was an SOAD cover, Sugar. I am not normally a fan of covers but when you take a song and make it your own, its absolutely fantabulous! Originality comes from the soul; yes, the lyrics and melody is the same, however turned from first off a masculine vocal to a femme vocal that rivals the original, Shar… I salute you.

The instrumentals in this band were just as matching in originality and creativeness. The strings played fantastic solos and rhythm, with a flailing set of sticks. They currently don’t have any music recorded online, however they have a youtube channel.   Besides the SOAD cover, which I recommend hearing, their song Fall Never is one to check out as well. With the mixture of the siren vox, both melodic and extremely metal, the quality of instrumentals match her verve and ambition. The videos do them no justice, there is watching a band online, and then there is seeing one live.   You can check out and LIKE their FB page Spirit Level.  The Dirty Librarian recommends you see them live.  Ive seen them twice, and neither time was dissapointing.

And now, ye melting masses of musically intrigued residents of our very own Valley of the Sun,  here is Spirit Level...

Introduce yourselves.
Lead vocals- Shar Hayze
Drums- Mikey Lee
Lead/Rhythm guitar- Sam Murphy
Rhythm guitar- Jason Glover
Bass- Nathan Songé
 
How long has Spirit Level been a band?
Since late January 2012

Mikey is the founder of the band. He contacted Shar about thepossibility of auditioning for Top Dead Center, but after hearing her potentialhe felt that a brand new band could be taken to another level. So Mikey got Samon board, posted an ad on Craigslist for a second guitar player and met Jason.Mikey had brought another guy named Jason on as a bassist but he was unable tocommit.  So Jason (the second guitar player) brought us Nathan andthe rest is history.

How did you get the name Spirit Level?
Mikeysaw the name Spirit Level on a phone app..  We all immediately liked it& thus we became Spirit Level. 
“Thenwe actually thought...what would music sound like to a spirit? You would haveto play at spirit level..” -Sam



For me, you have a feel of a Kitty slash Evanescence, howeveryou portray both aspects superbly and in a fully original way.  Whoare your inspirations?
Thankyou!  We’ve got a pretty wide range of musical inspirations amongst the 5of us!  Anywhere from The Cult, Iced Earth, JohnCarpenter, JohnWilliams, Alterbridge, Fair to Midland, In this moment and Incubus


Give me an example of your writing process.
It starts with a guitar riff from either Jason or Sam (and on arare occasion, an acoustic guitar riff from Shar)..  Almost immediatelyMikey and Nathan jump in and follow, picking up on the riffs.  Once abasic structure is set into place, Shar will sing a few melodies over it to geta feel for the song.  Then, typically, she will record the song, take ithome & write the lyrics and vocal melodies.  Also some of our songshave been written right on the spot in their entirety.  Our 1st 4songs were written within the 1st month that we came together as a band.



You guys have an awesome stage presence and audience interaction.  What do you love about your fans the most?
Again, thank you!  Well our fan base is still developing,of course, but those who we do see at every show are awesome supporters &we really appreciate the loyalty.

When is your next show?  Or shows?
The next show we have coming up is looking to be prettybig!  It’s the 1st annual beach party at Joe’s Grotto onSaturday, July 14th!  Other bands playing include:  AnEarly Fall, We were strangers & Tome.

What albums have you released?  How can someone getsome music?
No albums or recordings as of yet, but this is something that isin the works and a top priority.  So we hope to have some recorded musicto release to the public within the next several weeks.

What do you like most about the Phoenix scene?
The biggest and most awesome aspect we love about the phoenixscene is the diversity.  So many different types of bands in differentgenres working together and putting on very diverse, entertaining shows! It’s fantastic to be a part of.  The fact that you can be inspired by other musicians that you can actually meet and hang out with, as opposed to“rockstars” that seem to live in a different universe altogether, is justamazing in itself. PS.. The guys like the hot chicks that come to the shows,too!

Is there anything else you would like to share with your Fans inphoenix?
You will see more of us!  That’s a promise!  We hope to see you allcontinuing to support us, as well as other amazing bands in the Phoenix localmusic scene. We appreciate the effort and it really does mean a lot!

Don't forget to LIKE their FB page... Spirit Level.  I am sure you will like them as much as I do.  Get to Joes Grotto next weekend too!!  Ladies... get your bikini power going and blow those boys out of the water.  Thats how we DO!

Until next time, Phoenicians!